The coming Friday will see two major releases in the form of the Balaji and Popcorn Motion Pictures` `EMI` and Rajshri Production Pvt. Ltd.`s `Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi`. While Sanjay Dutt`s presence in `EMI` may give it some initial advantage, especially in Bombay–Maharashtra, the silent winner in the long run is likely to be the Sonu Sood and Eesha Koppiker starrer ,`Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi`, despite a selective release.

The first `Diwali` release, Madhur Bhandarkar`s `Fashion` saw a very good opening in the multiplexes of Bombay. In other circuits, opening was very good in the big cities. However, collections started dropping markedly on the second and third day. Trade predicts that `Fashion` has novelty value but lacks in entertainment for the masses. It will do well in the multiplexes of the big cities but not elsewhere. Considering its cost, `Fashion`would find the going tough, especially because such adult fares don`t fetch too much from sale of the satellite rights. The film has been totally rejected in the Overseas.

Golmaal Returns

Verdict: New

Weekly Earnings: UK$309,836

Total Earnings: UK$309,836

The second `Diwali` release, Rohit Shetty`s `Golmaal Returns` took an earth shattering start in Bombay. Outside of Bombay, the opening was bumper everywhere, from North to South and East to West. Collections throughout the 5–day weekend were good to superb. Trade predicts that given the bumper start it has taken, `Golmaal Returns` will keep the territorial distributors and the exhibitors happy and smiling, but cautions the worldwide distributor, Indian Films, to hold on to the celebrations, owing to the heavy price it has paid for the film. The film has grossed decently in the UK, entering the charts at number seven.

Samir Karnik`s mutistarrer `Heroes` suffered on account of the dull pre–`Diwali` phase but picked up again after `Diwali`. Unfortunately its shows were drastically reduced in the multiplexes after 5–days, to accommodate `Golmaal Returns` and `Fashion` and so `Heroes` had to suffer for no fault of it. The film has however, impressed in the Overseas.

Roadside Romeo

Verdict: Flop

Weekly Earnings: India Rs. 4 crores

Total Earnings: India Rs. 4 crores ; UK$106,718 ; US$55,202

Yash Raj Films` expensive animation experiment, `Roadside Romeo`, has done well only in a handful of cities. It is a huge failure for YRF who are also the worldwide distributors. What must be a bigger disappointment is the fact that despite the name Walt Disney (not to forget YRF) associated with it, `Roadside Romeo` has been totally rejected in the Overseas.

Composer, singer and actor Himesh Reshammiya`s `Karzzzz` has crashed even further in its second week. The Satish Kaushik directed film is a huge debacle for its worldwide distributors, Big Pictures, who will incur huge losses.